The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a lot of organisations get creative with how they connect with people, the Nan Tien Temple in Berkeley is no different.
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Rather than heading to a drive-thru asking for a "side of fries with that", hundreds of people made the journey to the Buddhist temple for a special in-car service last week.
During normal times the temple would be a flurry of people celebrating the 7th Lunar Month - a month of Filial Piety and Sangha Offering. Instead, a drive-thru blessing ceremony was offered as a way to "bring peace and happiness amidst this pandemic".
Members of the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) came in droves to receive blessings from Oceania Chief Abbess Manko in the main temple plaza, along with gifts such as blessing charms, Holy Water, hand sanitizers, and reusable masks.
Throughout the pandemic the association's activities have largely been online, so the unusual ceremony brought the congregation back to their "warm home", according to Sydney President Andy Chin.
The event started with a private prayer service by the venerables in the main shrine, and ended with a tree-planting ceremony to help promote a green environment.
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